Posted by Sade Williams
The Federal government on Thursday announced the postponement of international flights resumption into the country to September 5, 2020.
Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, had last week, announced August 29 for international flight operations but the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director-General, Capt Musa Nuhu on Thursday gave reasons for the postponement.
Speaking at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Abuja, he said there were non-aeronautical logistics that needed to be put in place before the country’s airspace is opened to international flights.
“Since the announcement by the honourable minister of aviation a few weeks ago that international flights will resume anytime from 29th of August, the aviation sector has worked assiduously to be ready for this date.
“The aviation sector including the airports is ready to resume on the 29th. However, we have other non-aviation logistics we are still working on mostly to do with the Covid-19 protocols, tests, and online platforms. We need to get this in place so that we will have a smooth and efficient resumption of international flights without difficulties for all the passengers.
“So, for this reason, unfortunately, I have to let you know that the resumption date has been shifted by one week to the 5th of September which is now a sacrosanct date. The initial announcement was anytime from August 29. Now we have fixed a date – 5th of September to ensure that resumption of international flights.
“In due course, once these logistics are done, we will be announcing the protocols for the resumption and also we will be giving further details on the principle of reciprocity we have mentioned. So, hopefully early next week, we will release this.”
